Local parent support groups:

ACCT are a local charity led by parents of autistic children and young people. They run several fun, accessible activities for children and young people each week. They also have a social group for young autistic adults, offer support for parents, and provide regular inclusive activities for the whole family. 0114 223 0242 / 07527 824034 | enquiries@acctsheffield.org.uk

Autism Hope are a support group for parents and family members of autistic children and young people of all ages. They are based in the North of Sheffield and meet weekly. 07968 984179 | autismhopesheffield@gmail.com

Epilepsy Action is the UK’s largest epilepsy membership organisation. The Sheffield Talk & Support group acts as a support group to people with epilepsy, their families and friends; they also provide information and educate the public about the condition. The group meets on the second Thursday of every month at 7.15-8.45pm at United Reform Church on Norfolk Street. 0113 210 8899 | lso@epilepsy.org.uk

Family Support Group run free activities for children and young people (0-25 years) with a learning disability and their families. Sessions take place on Saturday afternoons and currently include leisure swims and trampoline/rebound sessions at Hillsborough Leisure Centre, and Taekwondo at the English Institute of Sport. fsgswimming@outlook.com

Kids Together Club are a parent-led support group for families of children with disabilities, their siblings and friends. They run two monthly groups at indoor playcentres (Buccaneer’s Bay and Medieval Mayhem). There is no upper age limit. 07884438008 | admin@kidstogetherclub.co.uk

SHASBAH provides befriending and welfare support to everyone in Sheffield affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus. They run a wide range of group activities and events for all age groups and provide specialist advice and guidance on benefits, education and health needs on a 1:1 basis. 07752 665411 | info@shasbah.co.uk

Sheffield and Surrounding Areas SEN Support Group is a closed Facebook group for parent carers – a safe place to have a moan, groan, celebrate triumphs and successes and ask for and offer advice. They have over 1,000 members.

Sheffield Autistic Society is a local charity for people with autism and their families. They provide support and information and campaign for a better world for autistic people in Sheffield. philcooney99@yahoo.co.uk

Sheffield Deaf Children’s Society provides support and impartial advice to families with deaf and hearing-impaired children in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Chesterfield and the surrounding areas. They host a range of events and activities throughout the year, including a regular youth club and a baby and toddler group. sheffielddeafchildrenssociety@gmail.com

Sheffield Down Syndrome Support Group (SHEDS) is a support group for families who have a child with Down Syndrome and live in and around Sheffield. Their aim is for families to provide advice, support and friendship to each other and to exchange information on how to best support their children. They run monthly coffee mornings at The Burton Street Foundation and a weekly baby and toddler group in Greenhill. downsyndromesheffield@gmail.com

STARS is an informal, closed, caring WhatsApp peer community run by adoptive parents for adopters in Sheffield. They have over 200 members. To join, just email sheffield_stars@fastmail.com

Sheffield City Council services:

• Autism Team: Supports mainstream schools to meet the needs of pupils with autism and related conditions. Runs a dedicated phone service that is staffed by experienced teachers from the team; available Monday-Thursday, 1-4pm, term time only. Tel: 0114 2506800

• 0-5 SEND Service: Works with young children (0-5+) with additional needs both in their homes and in settings. Also provides the Portage home visiting service.

• Educational Psychology Service: Works with families and staff in educational settings to support the education and development of children and young people.

• Service for Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Children: Provides support and advice to deaf and hearing-impaired children, young people and their families.

• Special Needs Inclusion Playcare Service (SNIPS): Helps disabled children aged 5-18 acces out-of-school activities / clubs to give their parents a break from caring.

• Sheffield SEN and Disability Information Advice and Support (SSENDIAS): Formerly known as Parent Partnership. Provides impartial, confidential information, advice and support to parents/carers of children and young people (0-25) with disabilities and special educational needs in relation to education, health and social care services, disability benefits (e.g. DLA/PIP forms), support groups and leisure opportunities.

• Vision Support Service: Supports children and young people with a visual impairment and their families.

Support for siblings:

• Sheffield Young Carers: Offers support to children and young people (8-25 years) who provide care for a family member, e.g. a disabled sibling.

• Sheffield Adult Sibling Support Group is a local peer support group run by the national charity SIBS. It is for adult siblings (aged 18 and over) of people with lifelong disabilities. Although based in Sheffield, siblings from across South Yorkshire (and beyond) are very welcome to join.
• SIBS is a project at the University of Sheffield that offers siblings of children with a disability aged 8-12 years the opportunity to take part in free activity days (once a month, on Saturdays).
• SENSE run a virtual service for siblings aged 5-18 years. They provide weekly activities such as film nights, book clubs, cooking, games nights, crafts etc., as well as one-to-one support.

Other local services:

• ADHD Project: Run by Family Action, this service provides information, support and training for families with a child or young person with ADHD.
• Child Disability Register: A register of children and young people, aged 0-25, who live in Sheffield and have a disability or life-altering medical condition. The register helps the local authority and NHS Sheffield to plan services for disabled children and young people. Registration is voluntary.
• Disability Sheffield promotes independent living for disabled people in Sheffield. They run a PA (personal assistant) register and provide information, signposting, advocacy, training and employment support.

• PACES is a leading specialist centre in Sheffield for children with cerebral palsy and other motor disorders.

• Child Development and Neurodisability Service: based at the Ryegate Children’s Centre, this service provides assessment, diagnosis and therapy for children and young people with developmental and neurological problems.

• Sheffield Carers Centre provides information, advice, advocacy and support to unpaid carers in Sheffield. They run a range of support groups at various locations across the city on a regular basis. The groups are open to adults who care for a family member or friend of any age. 0114 2728362 | office@sheffieldcarers.org.uk

• Sheffield MENCAP and Gateway: Sheffield Mencap and Gateway provides a range of services to anyone in Sheffield with a learning disability and to their families. These include regular social clubs and activities, learning opportunities and a children’s performing arts group.

• Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind: Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind offers a wide range of services for people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Services for families include a comprehensive benefits advice service, a play group, leisure clubs and events, and support groups.

National charities:

• Contact provides information and advice on any aspect of caring for a disabled child, including education and benefits.

• IPSEA provides free legally-based advice on educational issues for parents of children with special educational needs.

• Cerebra strives to improve the lives of children with neurological conditions, through research, information and direct, on-going support.

• The Family Fund provides grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

• OCD Action OCD Action has a vision of a time when OCD is well understood and everyone gets the treatment and the support they need when they need it.

Please note: This list is not comprehensive. The information on this page is provided for reference purposes only. It is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications or abilities of any individual or organisation listed. Inclusion in this article does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation; nor does omission imply disapproval.